Through the day Thy love hath spared us

Through the day Thy love hath spared us;
Now we lay us down to rest;
Through the silent watches guard us,
Let no foe our peace molest;
Jesus, Thou our Guardian be;
Sweet it is to trust in Thee.

Pilgrims here on earth, and strangers,
Dwelling in the midst of foes,
Us and ours preserve from dangers;
In Thine arms may we repose,
And when life’s brief day is past,
Rest with Thee in heaven at last.
     Thomas Kelly

O God, the Rock of Ages

O God, the Rock of Ages,
Who evermore hast been,
What time the tempest rages,
Our dwelling place serene;
Before Thy first creations,
O Lord, the same as now,
To endless generations
The Everlasting Thou!

Our years are like the shadows
On sunny hills that lie,
Or grasses in the meadows
That blossom but to die;
A sleep, a dream, a story
By strangers quickly told,
An unremaining glory
Of things that soon are old.

O Thou, Who canst not slumber,
Whose light grows never pale,
Teach us aright to number
Our years before they fail;
On us Thy mercy lighten,
On us Thy goodness rest,
And let Thy Spirit brighten
The hearts Thyself hast blessed.
     Edward Henry Bickersteth

Great God! we sing that mighty Hand

Great God! we sing that mighty Hand
By which, supported still, we stand;
The opening year Thy mercy shows;
Let mercy crown it till it close.

By day, by night, at home, abroad,
Still we are guarded by our God;
By His incessant bounty fed,
By His unerring counsel led.

With grateful hearts the past we own;
The future, all to us unknown,
We to Thy guardian care commit,
And, peaceful, leave before Thy feet.

In scenes exalted or depressed,
Thou art our joy, and Thou our rest;
Thy goodness all our hopes shall raise,
Adored through all our changing days.

When death shall interrupt these songs,
And seal in silence mortal tongues,
Our Helper, God, in Whom we trust,
In better worlds our souls shall boast.
     Philip Doddridge

Praise, O praise our God and King

Praise, O praise our God and King;
Hymns of adoration sing;
For His mercies still endure
Ever faithful, ever sure.

Praise Him that He made the sun
Day by day his course to run,
And the silver moon by night,
Shining with her gentle light.

Praise Him that He gave the rain
To mature the swelling grain,
And hath bid the fruitful field
Crops of precious increase yield.

Praise Him for our harvest store,-
He hath filled the garner floor,-
And for richer food than this,
Pledge of everlasting bliss.

Glory to our bounteous King!
Glory let creation sing!
Glory to the Father, Son,
And Blest Spirit, Three in One!
     Henry Williams Baker

It is not death to die

It is not death to die-
To leave this weary road,
And, ‘midst the brotherhood on high,
To be at home with God.

It is not death to close
The eye long dimmed with tears,
And wake in glorious repose
To spend eternal years.

It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breathe the air
Of boundless liberty.

It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise on strong exulting wing
To live among the just.

Jesus, Thou Prince of Life,
Thy chosen cannot die;
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.
     H. A. Cesar Malan Tr George Washington Bethune

O how blest are ye whose toils are ended

O how blest are ye whose toils are ended!
Who, through death, have unto God ascended!
Ye have arisen
From the cares which keep us still in prison.

Christ has wiped away your tears forever;
Ye have that for which we still endeavor.
To you are chanted
Songs that ne’er to moral ears were granted.

Ah! who would then not depart with gladness,
To inherit heaven for earthly sadness?
Who here would languish
Longer in bewailing and in anguish?

Come, O Christ, and loose the chains that bind us!
Lead us forth, and cast this world behind us!
With Thee, th’ Anointed,
Finds the soul its joy and rest appointed.
     Simon Dach  Tr Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Jesus, I know, hath died for me

Jesus, I know, hath died for me:
Here is my hope, my joy, my rest;
Hither, when hell assails, I flee,
I look into my Saviour’s breast.
Away, sad doubt and anxious fear!
Mercy is all that’s written there.

Though waves and storms go o’er my head,
Though strength, and health, and friends be gone;
Though joys be withered all and dead,
Though every comfort be withdrawn;
On this my steadfast soul relies:
Father, Thy mercy never dies.

Fixed on this ground will I remain,
Though my heart fail and strength decay;
This anchor shall my soul sustain,
When earth’s foundations melt away.
Mercy’s full power I then shall prove,
Loved with an everlasting love.
     Johann Andreas Rothe  Tr John Wesley, altered

Nearer, my God, to Thee

Nearer, my God, to Thee!
Nearer to Thee!
Through Word and Sacrement
Thou com’st to me.
Thy grace is ever near,
Thy Spirit ever here,
Drawing to Thee.

Ages on ages rolled
Ere earth appeared,
Yet Thine unmeasured love
The way prepared;
Long hast Thou yearned for me,
That I might nearer be,
Nearer to Thee!

Thy Son has come to earth,
My sin to bear,
My every wound to heal,
My pain to share.
“God in the flesh” for me,
Brings me now nearer Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Lo! all my debt is paid,
My guilt is gone.
See!  He is risen for me,
My throne is won.
Thanks, O my God, to Thee!
None now can nearer be,
Nearer to Thee!

Welcome, then, to Thy home,
Blest One in Three!
As Thou has promised, come!
Come, Lord, to me!
Work Thou, O God, through me,
Live Thou, O God in me,
Ever in me!

Surely, it matters not
What earth may bring;
Death is of no account;
Grace will I sing.
Nothing remains for me,
Save to be nearer Thee,
Nearer to Thee!
     Henry Eyster Jacobs

If God Himself be for me

If God Himself be for me,
I may a host defy;
For when I pray, before me
My foes, confounded, fly.
If Christ, the Head befriend me,
If God be my support,
The mischief they intend me
Shall quickly come to naught.

I build on this foundation:
That Jesus and His Blood
Alone are my salvation,
The true eternal good;
Without Him all that pleases
Is valueless on earth;
The gifts I owe to Jesus
Alone my love are worth.

His Holy Spirit dwelleth
Within my willing heart,
Tames it when it rebelleth,
And soothes the keenest smart.
He crowns His work with blessing,
And helpeth me to cry
“My Father!” without ceasing,
To Him Who reigns on high.

To mine His Spirit speaketh
Sweet words of soothing power;
How God for him that seeketh
For rest, hath rest in store-
How God Himself prepareth
My heritage and lot,
And, though my body weareth,
My heaven shall fail me not.
     Paul Gerhardt  Tr Richard Massie

Thou hidden Love of God, Whose height

Thou hidden Love of God, Whose height,
Whose depth unfathom'd, no man knows;
I see from far Thy beauteous light,
Inly I sigh for Thy repose.
My heart is pain'd, nor can it be
At rest, till it finds rest in Thee.

Is there a thing beneath the sun
That strives with Thee my heart to share?
Ah, tear it thence, and reign alone,
The Lord of every motion there;
Then shall my heart from earth be free,
When it has found repose in Thee.

Each moment draw from earth away
My heart, that lowly waits Thy call;
Speak to my inmost soul, and say:
"I am thy Love, thy God, thy All!"
To feel Thy power, to hear Thy voice,
To taste Thy love, be all my choice.
     Gerhard Tersteegen Tr. John Wesley, revised

Dispels the shades of night

Dispels the shades of night;
O Jesus, my Defender,
My soul’s supreme delight,
Though fortune should bereave me
Of all I love the best,
If Thou Thy love still leave me,
I freely give the rest.

I know no life divided,
O Lord of life, from Thee;
In Thee is life provided
For all mankind and me;
I know no death, O Jesus,
Because I live in Thee;
Thy death it is which frees us
From death eternally.

I fear no tribulation,
Since, whatso’er it be,
It makes no separation
Between my Lord and me.
If Thou, my God and Teacher,
Vouchsafe to be my own,
Though poor, I shall be richer
Than monarch on his throne.

If, while on earth I wander,
My heart is light and blest,
Ah, what shall I be yonder,
In perfect peace and rest?
O blessed thought in dying!
We go to meet the Lord,
Where there shall be no sighing,
A kingdom our reward.
     Karl Johann Philipp Spitta Tr. Richard Massie

If thou but suffer God to guide thee

If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days;
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.

What can these anxious cares avail thee,
These never ceasing moans and sighs?
What can it help, if thou bewail thee
O’er each dark moment as it flies?
Our cross and trials do but press
The heavier for our bitterness.

All are alike before the Highest;
‘Tis easy for our God, we know,
To raise thee up, though low thou liest,
To make the rich man poor and low;
True wonders still by Him are wrought
Who setteth up and brings to naught.

Sing, pray, and keep His ways unswerving,-
So do thine own part faithfully,
And trust His Word;- though undeserving,
Thou yet shalt find it true for thee;
God never yet forsook in need
The soul that trusted Him indeed.
     Georg Neumark Tr Catherine Winkworth

We are the Lord's: His all sufficient merit

We are the Lord's:  His all sufficient merit,
Sealed on the cross, to us this grace accords;
We are the Lord's, and all things shall inherit;
Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.

We are the Lord's:  then let us gladly tender
Our souls to Him, in deeds, not empty words;
Let heart and tongue, and life combine to render
No doubtful witness that we are the Lord's.

We are the Lord's:  no darkness brooding o'er us
Can make us tremble while this star affords
A steady light along the path before us-
Faith's full assurance that we are the Lord's.

We are the Lord's:  no evil can befall us
In the dread hour of life's fast loosening cords;
No pangs of death shall even then appall us;
Death we shall vanquish, for we are the Lord's.
     Karl Johann Philipp Spitta Tr. Charles Tamberlane Astley

What cheering words are these

What cheering words are these!
Their sweetness who can tell!
In time and to eternal days,
“’Tis with the righteous well.”

In ev’ry state secure,
Kept by Jehovah’s eye,
‘Tis well with them while life endure,
And well when called to die.

‘Tis well when joys arise;
‘Tis well when sorrows flow;
‘Tis well when darkness veils the skies,
And strong temptations blow.

‘Tis well when on the mount
They feast on dying Love;
And ‘tis as well in God’s account,
When they the furnace prove.

‘Tis well when Jesus calls:
“From earth and sin arise;
Join with the hosts of ransomed souls,
Made to salvation wise.”
     John Kent

Now may He Who from the dead

Now may He Who from the dead,
Brought the Shepherd of the sheep,
Jesus Christ, our King and Head,
All our souls in safety keep.

May He teach us to fulfill
What is pleasing in His sight;
Perfect us in all His will,
And preserve us day and night.

To that dear Redeemer’s praise,
Who the covenant sealed with Blood,
Let our hearts and voices raise
Loud thanksgivings to our God.
     John Newton

Now the light has gone away

Now the light has gone away;
Saviour, listen while I pray,
Asking Thee to watch and keep,
And to send me quiet sleep.

Jesus, Saviour, wash away
All that has been wrong today;
Help me ev’ry day to be
Good and gentle, more like Thee.

Let my near and dear ones be
Always near and dear to Thee;
O bring me and all I love
To Thy happy home above.

Now my evening praise I give;
Thou didst die that I might live:
All my blessings come from Thee;
O how good Thou art to me!

Thou, my best and kindest Friend,
Thou wilt love me to the end;
Let me love Thee more and more,
Always better than before.
     Frances Ridley Havergal

What our Father does is well

What our Father does is well;
Blessed truth His children tell!
Though He send, for plenty, want,
Though the harvest store be scant,
Yet we rest upon His love,
Seeking better things above.

What our Father does is well;
Shall the willful heart rebel
If a blessing He withhold
In the field, or in the fold?
Is it not Himself to be
All our store eternally?

What our Father does is well;
Though He sadden hill and dell,
Upward yet our praises rise
For the strength His Word supplies;
He has called us sons of God;
Can we murmur at His rod?

What our Father does is well;
May the thought within us dwell!
Though nor milk nor honey flow
In our barren Canaan now,
God can save us in our need,
God can bless us, God can feed.

Therefore unto Him we raise
Hymns of glory, songs of praise;
To the Father, and the Son
And the Spirit, Three in One,
Honor, might, and glory be,
Now, and through eternity.
     Benjamin Schmolck  Tr Henry Williams Baker, altered

Heavenward still our pathway tends

Heavenward still our pathway tends;
  Here on earth we are but strangers,
Till our road in Canaan ends,
  Safely passed this wild of dangers:
Here we but as pilgrims rove,
For our home is there above.

Heavenward still, my soul, ascend!
  Thou art one of heaven’s creations;
Earth can ne’er give aim or end
  Fit to fill thy aspirations;
And a heaven enlightened mind
Ever turns, its source to find.

Heavenward still!  God calls to me
  In His Word, so loudly speaking;
Glimpses in that Word I see
  Of the home I’m ever seeking.
While my heart that call attends,
Still to heaven my path ascends.

Heavenward still when life shall close,
  Death to my true home shall guide me;
Then, triumphant o’er my woes,
  Lasting bliss shall God provide me.
Christ Himself the way has led;
Joyful in His steps I tread.
     Benjamin Schmolck  Tr. Frances Elizabeth Cox

A pilgrim and a stranger

A pilgrim and a stranger,
I journey here below;
Far distant is my country,
The home to which I go.
Here I must toil and travail,
Oft weary and oppressed,
But there my God shall lead me
To everlasting rest.

There still my thoughts are dwelling,
’Tis there I long to be;
Come, Lord, and call Thy servant
To blessedness with Thee.
Come, bid my toils be ended,
Let all my wonderings cease;
Call from the wayside lodging
To the sweet home of peace.

There I shall dwell for ever,
No more a stranger guest,
With all thy blood bought children
In everlasting rest,-
The pilgrim toils forgotten,
The pilgrim conflicts o'er,
All earthly griefs behind us,
Eternal joys before.
     Paul Gerhardt  Tr. Jane Borthwick

There is no night in heaven

There is no night in heaven;
In that blest world above
Work never can bring weariness,
For work itself is love.

There is no grief in heaven;
There all is perfect day;
And tears are of those former things
Which all have passed away.

There is no sin in heaven;
Behold that blessed throng-
All holy is their spotless robe,
All holy is their song!

There is no death in heaven;
For they who gain that shore
Have won their immortality,
And they can die no more.
     Francis Minden Knollis

Thy Word, O God, declareth

Thy Word, O God, declareth
No man hath seen or heard
The joys our God prepareth
For them that love their Lord.
Their eyes shall see Thy glory,
Thy face, Thy throne, Thy might;
With shouts shall they adore Thee,
The true, eternal Light.

With Thee, their warfare ended,
Thy saints, from earth released,
Shall keep, with glories splendid,
Eternal holy feast.
There shall Thy sons and daughters
The tree of life partake,
Shall drink the living waters;
And bread with Thee shall break.

Thy constant praises sounding
Before Thy great white throne,
They all in joy abounding
Shall sing the song unknown:
Laud, honor, praise, thanksgiving
And glory ever be
To Thee, the Everlasting
And Blessed Trinity.
     Johann Walther  Tr. Alfred Ramsey

Thus far the Lord has led me on

Thus far the Lord has led me on,
Thus far His pow’r prolongs my days,
And ev’ry evening shall make known
Some fresh memorial of His grace.

Much of my time has run to waste,
And I perhaps am near my home;
But He forgives my follies past,
And gives me strength for days to come.

I lay my body down to sleep,
Peace is the pillow for my head;
While well-appointed angels keep
Their watchful stations round my bed.
     Isaac Watts

More about Jesus would I know

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show,
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me!

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my Teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me!

More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord,
Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine!

More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase,
More of His coming, Prince of Peace!

Refrain
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me!
     E. E. Hewitt

Softly now the light of day

Softly now the light of day
Fades upon our sight away;
Free from care, from labor free,
Lord, we would commune with Thee!

Thou whose all pervading eye
Naught escapes, without, within,
Pardon each infirmity,
Open fault and secret sin!

Soon for us the light of day
Shall forever pass away;
Then, from sin and sorrow free,
Take us, Lord, to dwell with Thee!
     Geo. W. Doane

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
No riches of earth could have saved my poor soul;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour now maketh me whole.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The guilt on my conscience too heavy had grown;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour could only atone.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The holy commandment forbade me draw near;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour removeth my fear.

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The way into heaven could not thus be bought;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation;
The death of my Saviour redemption hath wrought.

Chorus
I am redeemed, but not with silver,
I am bought, but not with gold;
Bought with a price—the blood of Jesus,
Precious price of love untold!
     James M. Gray

Holy Saviour, we adore Thee

Holy Saviour, we adore Thee,
Seated on the throne of God;
While the heav’nly hosts before Thee
Gladly sing Thy praise aloud:
“Thou art worthy!  Thou art worthy!
We are ransomed by Thy blood!”

Saviour, tho’ the world despise Thee,
Tho’ Thou here wast crucified,
Yet the Father’s glory raised Thee,
Lord of all creation wide;
“Thou art worthy!  Thou art worthy!
We shall live, for Thou hast died!”

Haste the day of Thy returning
With Thy ransomed church to reign;
Then shall end our days of mourning,
We shall sing with rapture then:
“Thou art worthy!  Thou art worthy!
Come, Lord Jesus, come.  Amen!”
     James G. Deck

All around you men are dying, while the precious moments fly

All around you men are dying, while the precious moments fly;
You will meet them when God calls you to His judgment by and by;
Are you reaching out to help them with a brother’s hand of love?
Are you striving now to lead them to the blessed home above?

There’s a brother close beside you, tempted, weary, sore distressed;
There are many all around you vainly seeking peace and rest;
See the image of the Master in each dark and troubled face;
Point the way to joy eternal thro’ the Lord’s abounding grace.

Show the love of Christ, the Saviour, when He died upon the tree,-
Died for sinners lost and hopeless, direst need their only plea;
With one hand held fast by Jesus, with the other reaching down,
You can save your fallen brother, help him win the victor’s crown.

Chorus
Do not stand aloof in pity; take your brother by the hand,
Roll aside his heavy burden, lift him up and help him stand;
Speak a loving word of comfort, ‘tis the blessed Lord’s command,
That you love him as the Lord loved you.
     Harriet Fithian

Trust the Saviour with your sorrow

Trust the Saviour with your sorrow,
Breaking heart;
Strength and comfort for the morrow
He’ll impart;
None so willingly will share it,
None so gladly help to bear it;
Trust the Saviour with your sorrow,
Breaking heart!

Let the loving Saviour guide you,
Soul astray;
He will walk along beside you
All the way;
And if foes should overtake you,
He victorious will make you;
Let the loving Saviour guide you,
Soul astray!

Let the dear Redeemer heal you,
Wounded soul;
He alone can truly seal you,
Make you whole;
For to Him alone is given
Pow’r to heal the spirit riven;
Let the dear Redeemer heal you,
Wounded soul!

Chorus
Trust the Saviour, fully trust Him;
He will prove a Friend indeed;
You no other friend will find
Half as faithful, true and kind;
O the Saviour is the Friend you need!
     James Rowe

I need not ask what time will bring

I need not ask what time will bring
While to my Saviour’s hand I cling;
A song of trust my soul can sing,
For step by step He will lead me.

I need not fear tho’ dark the way,
For Jesus close to me doth stay;
Until the dawn of perfect day
Still step by step He will lead me.

Oft on my path falls golden light,
And blooming flowers greet my sight;
My Saviour’s love makes all scenes bright,
And step by step He will lead me.

I shall not have to go alone
From earth into the realms unknown;
My Lord doth ne’er forsake His own,
And step by step He will lead me.

Chorus
Step by step to the glory land,
My Saviour guides with a loving hand;
I go to dwell with the blood-wash’d band,
And step by step He will lead me.
     Jennie Wilson

Saved by grace alone, God’s own Word believing

Saved by grace alone, God’s own Word believing-
It is glory all the way!
Walking in the light, daily grace receiving-
It is glory all the way!

Not a care have I since my Saviour careth-
It is glory all the way!
Guided by His eye, while with me He fareth-
It is glory all the way!

Severed from the world, His dear name confessing-
It is glory all the way!
Taking up the cross, sharing in the blessing-
It is glory all the way!

Sinner, put your trust in this loving Saviour-
It is glory all the way!
Freely He forgives all our past behavior-
It is glory all the way!

Working day by day, minded that He sees us-
It is glory all the way!
Watch and wait and pray, looking unto Jesus-
It is glory all the way!

Chorus
Glory!  Glory!
It is glory all the way!
Glory!  Glory!
It is glory all the way!
     J. H. Sammis